ELY 3s fought off a spirited challenge from St Ives to secure a superb 4-3 victory. Ely have been in scintillating form since promotion to Division 5NW at the start of the year and the win over St Ives, their fourth in succession, sees them top the pile.

ELY 3s fought off a spirited challenge from St Ives to secure a superb 4-3 victory.

Ely have been in scintillating form since promotion to Division 5NW at the start of the year and the win over St Ives, their fourth in succession, sees them top the pile.

Though St Ives currently sit bottom of the league, they began at an alarming pace and were soon on top as Ely struggled to get going. A stoke of luck afforded Ely an early penalty however, and Mark Upton duly converted to give Ely the lead.

The setback failed to dampen the opposition's spirit though, and they fired in two quick goals to put Ely on the back foot.

A rousing team-talk from captain Chris Roberts, seemed to rally the troops at half-time and within five minutes of the restart Ely were level after a James Cross was deflected in.

Ely's parity was short-lived as, once more, St Ives came back strongly and scored again to retake the lead.

Staring at their first defeat as St Ives continued to pressuries, Ely needed inspiration and they were duly rescued by some fine work from Michael Dawe, who bagged two goals in the last 10 minutes to seal a battling win.